TOONTOPIA 2025: National Theatre and SMIDS Animation Launch Nigeria’s First Children's Animation Festival
17 May 2025
News

Recent Posts
Unlocking Narrative Illustration: A Reflection from Art of Morby’s Beginner’s Guide to Storytelling in Art
3 Dec 2025
From Premiers to Discussions and Comic Releases, Frame Fest Abuja Celebrates New Voices, New Stories, and Industry Icons
1 Dec 2025
Unmasking the Invisible Giant Beyond the Panels: A Retrospect on the Nigerian Comic Industry Report and the Missing Ink
29 Nov 2025
Asido Foundation Opens New Window for Comic Artists to Shape Mental Health Narratives, Extends Call for Abstracts
27 Nov 2025
From Addis Ababa to the African Imagination: The Rise of AAFMA and an Urgent Case for a Comic Book Equivalent
24 Nov 2025
Lagos is set to make animation history this Children’s Day with TOONTOPIA — the first-ever children’s animation festival hosted by the iconic National Theatre in partnership with SMIDS Animation Studios, one of Nigeria’s trailblazing animation houses.
Happening on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Toontopia marks a landmark moment not only for young creatives but for the broader animation industry in Nigeria. Themed around discovery, imagination, and African storytelling, this immersive one-day event is tailored for children aged 8 to 12, offering them a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of animation and become creators themselves.

Far from a typical celebration, Toontopia fuses education, entertainment, and empowerment, crafting an environment where children can dream boldly and create freely. Activities include a hands-on animation workshop with professional animators, a guided Sip & Paint session, and a screening of curated African animated films that spotlight homegrown talent. Every child will leave not only with new skills but with a certificate of participation to commemorate their artistic journey.
According to the organisers, Toontopia is more than an event — it's a cultural statement. “We want to spark curiosity and show children that their stories, voices, and ideas can shape the future of African animation,” said a spokesperson from SMIDS Animation.
Supported by family-favourite brands like Indomie and Chivita, Toontopia is also a celebration of community, a convergence of art, youth development, and local storytelling.
Toontopia will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Alliance Francais in Lagos. The event kicks off at 9:00 AM and is open to children between the ages of 8 and 12. Registration costs ₦10,000 per participant.
For more information, contact the organizers via WhatsApp at 09019660110 or email info@smidsanimation.com.



